Fukushima birds may cope with radiation

JAPAN'S birds can breathe a little easier: the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident might not have a lasting impact on breeding patterns.

A 2011 study of birds near Chernobyl in Ukraine found that their sperm is being damaged by harmful reactive oxygen species, which may have been created by radiation from the country's nuclear disaster in 1986. But according to calculations by Jim Smith at the University of Portsmouth, UK, the radiation at Chernobyl couldn't have produced enough reactive oxygen species to explain the observed harm (Biology Letters, DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2012.0150). The same is true for Fukushima, he says.

The biggest effects at Chernobyl are seen in barn swallows, which rely on farming activities for their food. Smith thinks the evacuation of the area may instead explain the swallows' plight.

That doesn't convince Anders M?ller at the University of Paris-South, France, an author on the 2011 study. He points to studies that suggest declines in farming affect barn swallows but don't stop them reproducing.

A final answer may come next year from the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, which has launched its own study of birds in the Fukushima contamination zone.

But the birds aren't home free: radiation harms wildlife in other ways, such as damaging DNA.

If you would like to reuse any content from New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndication department first for permission. New Scientist does not own rights to photos, but there are a variety of licensing options available for use of articles and graphics we own the copyright to.

Have your say

Only subscribers may leave comments on this article. Please log in.

Only personal subscribers may leave comments on this article

Subscribe now to comment.

All comments should respect the New Scientist House Rules. If you think a particular comment breaks these rules then please use the "Report" link in that comment to report it to us.

If you are having a technical problem posting a comment, please contact technical support.

gift card exchange tj holmes waste management two fat ladies dennys kindle fire glen davis